You just got behind the wheel of a new car purchased from an official dealership - congratulations! But the joy of your purchase can quickly turn into headaches if you skip critical steps after signing the contract. Even in 2026, when the car buying process is as automated as possible, 38% of owners face problems due to failure to follow simple rules in the first days of operation.

This article is not just instructions, but practical guidance with emphasis on legal, technical and financial nuances, which dealers often keep silent about. We'll figure out what documents to check before leaving the salon, how to properly break in a car, taking into account modern engines, where the pitfalls are hidden in OSAGO/CASCO insurance, and why the first 1000 km determine the life of the car for years to come. And also - an exclusive table with free maintenance periods for popular brands of the 2023-2026 model year.

It doesn't matter if you bought Kia Sportage on credit, Skoda Octavia by trade-in or Tesla Model Y for cash - the algorithm of actions is the same. Let's start with the most critical thing: what to do right nowbefore you leave the salon.

1. Checking documents: 7 points that will save you from problems with the traffic police

Even in authorized salons 1 of 12 cars sold with errors in the documents - the data does not match, there are no stamps or the wrong configuration is indicated. Your job is to check everything thoroughly. before signing the acceptance certificate.

Here's what you should definitely have on hand:

  • 📄 Sales and purchase agreement (3 copies: for you, the salon and the traffic police). Make sure that it contains: VIN, body/chassis number, color, year of manufacture, complete equipment (including options!).
  • 🔑 PTS (vehicle passport). Carefully check the VIN on the body (under the windshield) with what is indicated in the vehicle title. If the car broken or in pledge, this will be visible from the marks in the 3rd section.
  • 📋 Acceptance certificate with signatures of both parties and the seal of the salon. The car will not be registered without it!
  • 💳 Check/payment order (if paid in cash or by transfer). For a loan - a loan agreement with a payment schedule.
  • 🔧 Service book with a mark on pre-sale preparation (if the car is not “off the wheels”).
  • 📦 Set of documents for equipment: operating instructions, warranty cards for alarms, multimedia, etc.
  • 🚗 Vehicle registration certificate (if the car has already been registered by the dealership under the Transit program).
⚠️ Attention: If in the PTS in the “Special notes” column there is an entry “Duplicate", demand an explanation! This may mean that the original was lost during resale, and the car is wanted.

Pay special attention VIN code. It must match:

  • On the plate under the windshield
  • In the PTS (section "Identification number")
  • In the sales contract
  • On the body (usually under the hood or on the threshold of the driver's door)

If at least one character does not match - refuse the deal. This is a sign of a broken VIN (the car has been stolen or after major repairs).

Check the VIN in 4 places|Check the presence of all 3 copies of the registration certificate|Make sure that the vehicle title does not have the “Duplicate” or “Deposit” marks|Get a service book with a dealer’s stamp|Check that the keys are complete (usually 2 pieces + alarm key fob)

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2. Insurance: OSAGO vs CASCO - what to choose and how not to overpay

Without a valid MTPL policy, you will not be able to register your car, and without CASCO, you risk being left without compensation in the event of theft or an accident due to your fault. But insurance agents in salons often impose unnecessary options, increasing the cost of the policy by 30-50%. Let's figure out what is really necessary.

OSAGO (compulsory civil liability insurance):

  • 📌 Minimum price in 2026 - from RUB 2,746 (depending on the region, engine power and driver experience).
  • 📌 You can apply online in 10 minutes on the website RSA or through apps SberInsurance, Ingosstrakh.
  • 📌 Important: If you include several drivers in your policy, the cost will increase by 20-80%.

CASCO (voluntary auto insurance):

  • 🛡️ Cost - from 3% to 10% of the car price per year. For new cars (up to 3 years) usually 4-6%.
  • 🛡️ Includes coverage against theft, accident, fire, and natural disasters. Some policies even cover scratches and chips.
  • 🛡️ Lifehack: If you take CASCO insurance at the salon, bargain! Dealers often give a 10-15% discount when paying in cash.
Type of insurance Minimum cost (2026) What does it cover? Registration period
OSAGO from RUB 2,746 Damage to third parties in an accident 1 day
CASCO (basic) from 40,000 rub. (for a car worth 1.3 million) Theft, accident, fire, disaster 1-3 days
CASCO (premium) from 80,000 rub. + Scratches, broken glass, roadside assistance 2-5 days

If you bought a car on credit, the bank will definitely require CASCO for the entire loan term. But you can save money by taking out a policy through a broker or online rather than at a dealer. For example, in Tinkoff Insurance or AlfaStrakhovanie CASCO insurance is often 15-20% cheaper.

⚠️ Attention: If you refused CASCO insurance at the salon, but then decided to apply for it, do so within 7 days after the purchase. Later, the cost of the policy will increase by 30-50%, since the car is no longer considered “new”.

In the dealer's showroom|Online yourself|Through an insurance broker|Not yet issued

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3. Registration with the traffic police: step-by-step instructions 2026

From January 1, 2026, new car registration rules apply: now You can register your car without visiting the traffic police - through the portal Public services or at the MFC. But there are nuances that dealers do not always warn about.

Registration methods:

  1. Through State Services (the fastest way):
    • 📱 Upload scans: PTS, DCP, passport, OSAGO, acceptance certificate.
    • 📱 Pay the state duty with a 30% discount (1,400 rubles instead of 2,000 rubles).
    • 📱 Choose a convenient traffic police department to obtain numbers.
  • Via MFC: Suitable if you are not confident in filling out documents online. Registration period is up to 5 working days.
  • Via dealer: Many salons offer a “turnkey registration” service for 3,000–5,000 rubles. Convenient, but make sure that the rooms are “clean” (not used).

    • Documents for registration:

    • 📄 Owner's passport
    • 📄 PTS (original)
    • 📄 Purchase and sale agreement (3 copies)
    • 📄 OSAGO policy (electronic or paper)
    • 📄 Transfer and acceptance certificate
    • 📄 Receipt for payment of state duty (if paid not through State Services)

    If the car was purchased on credit, you will additionally need loan agreement and statement from the bank about permission to register.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you do not register your car within 10 days after purchase, you face a fine from 1,500 to 2,000 rub. (Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code). And if you travel without registration - from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. or deprivation of rights for 1-3 months.
    💡

    If you are registering a car through State Services, choose the time to visit the traffic police in the morning (from 8:00 to 10:00). At this time there are practically no queues, and you will receive rooms in 15-20 minutes.

    4. Running in a new car: myths and reality in 2026

    Opinions about running-in are divided: some say that it is a relic of the past, others say that the engine life depends on it. The truth is in the middle: for modern cars with turbo engines (1.4 TSI, 1.5 EcoBoost) and variators (CVT) break-in is important, but it differs from the rules 10 years ago.

    What has changed in 2026:

    • 🔧 Engines: Most modern engines (Skyactiv, TFSI, Hybrid) do not require a “gentle” mode, but it is better to avoid the first 1,000 km:
      • ⚡ Sharp acceleration (more than 3,000 rpm for gasoline, 2,500 rpm for diesel).
      • ⚡ Long-term driving at one speed (for example, 90 km/h on the highway for 2 hours in a row).
      • ⚡ Overload (towing, full cabin of passengers + luggage).
    • 🔄 Gearboxes:
      • For Automatic transmission and CVTs: avoid a jerky driving rhythm (sharp braking + acceleration).
      • For robots (DSG, Powershift): For the first 500 km, try not to use the "Sport" mode.
    • 🔋 Electric cars (Tesla, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia EV6): Break-in is not necessary, but during the first 2-3 charging cycles it is better not to discharge the battery below 20%.

    What to do in the first 1,000 km:

    • ⛽ Refuel only at proven gas stations (Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Rosneft) - fuel of questionable quality will kill a new engine in 2-3 refuelings.
    • 🔧 Monitor the oil level (even if the dealer said that it is “for life”). This often happens in new engines. oil waste in the first hundreds of kilometers.
    • 🚗 Avoid high pressure washing - the door and hatch seals have not yet “settled”.
    Engine type Max. running-in speed Recommended speed Features
    Gasoline aspirated (1.6 MPI) up to 3,500 rpm up to 110 km/h You can drive in 4th-5th gear
    Petrol turbo (1.4 TSI) up to 3,000 rpm up to 100 km/h Avoid sudden acceleration
    Diesel (2.0 TDI) up to 2,500 rpm up to 90 km/h Do not load the engine (no towing!)
    Hybrid (Toyota Hybrid) up to 2,500 rpm (petrol part) up to 100 km/h Use EV mode more often

    After running in (usually after 1,000–1,500 km) be sure to visit the dealer for a free MOT-0. On it:

    • Check the levels of all fluids.
    • Tighten timing belts/chains (if necessary).
    • They will update the ECU firmware (in new cars, “patches” are often released for the engine and gearbox).
    What happens if you ignore the run-in?

    The best case scenario is increased oil and fuel consumption throughout the entire service life. At worst - scoring on cylinders (especially true for turbo engines), which will lead to a major overhaul after 50,000 km. For example, in 1.8 TSI (VW/Audi) when running at high speeds, the piston partitions often burst, and in Jatco CVTs (Nissan) - the belt is slipping.

    5. Warranty and service: how not to lose free service

    A warranty on a new car is not just a piece of paper, but real savings. up to 150,000 rub. under repair. But many owners lose it because of little things. Let's figure out how to avoid this.

    Warranty periods in 2026:

    • 📅 Basic Warranty: 3 years or 100,000 km (whichever comes first). Some brands take longer: Toyota — 5 years, Hyundai/Kia — 7 years for the engine.
    • 📅 Warranty for paintwork (paint): 3-5 years (but only valid if you visit the dealer annually!).
    • 📅 Battery Warranty: 2-3 years (if it is “dry charged”, as in BMW or Mercedes).

    What voids the warranty:

    • 🚫 Self-repair or contacting an unofficial service.
    • 🚫 Installation of uncertified equipment (for example, gas equipment without approval from the dealer).
    • 🚫 Driving with faulty sensors (for example, with a burning lamp Check Engine more than 2 weeks).
    • 🚫 Skipping scheduled maintenance (even for 1,000 km!).
    • 🚫Using non-recommended oils or fuels (for example, 92 gasoline instead of 95th into a turbo engine).

    How to make the most of your warranty:

    1. Take a photo of all documents (DCP, PTS, service book) and save in the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).
    2. Keep a separate folder for all receipts from gas stations and car washes - they may be needed in case of a warranty claim.
    3. Before each maintenance check list of works on the manufacturer's website. For example, in Volkswagen for TO-1 (15,000 km) they should change it for free air filter, but dealers sometimes “forget” to do this.
    Brand Warranty period (years/km) Free maintenance (quantity) Features
    Toyota 5 years / 150,000 km 4 Hybrid battery warranty - 8 years
    Hyundai/Kia 7 years / 150,000 km (per engine) 3 Dealer service only
    Volkswagen 3 years / 100,000 km 2 DSG warranty - 5 years
    Lada 3 years / 100,000 km 3 Body warranty - 6 years
    Tesla 4 years / 80,000 km — Battery warranty - 8 years / 160,000 km
    ⚠️ Attention: If the dealer refuses to accept the car under warranty, ask written refusal with justification. Then contact the brand's central office or Rospotrebnadzor. In 80% of cases the issue is resolved in favor of the owner.
    💡

    Even if you missed one maintenance, the warranty does not expire completely. You can have it restored by having the missed service completed at your own expense and then presenting the receipts to the dealer. The main thing is not to delay!

    6. Additional equipment: what can be installed without losing the warranty

    I want to put it right away parking sensors, 360° camera or car radio? Be careful: improper installation may void your electrical warranty. Let's figure out what is allowed and what is not.

    Can be installed without risk:

    • 🎵 Audio systems: Radio tape recorders Pioneer, Alpine, if they are certified for your model. For example, for Toyota Camry will do Alpine Halo9 with adapter iDatalink Maestro.
    • 📱 Android Auto / CarPlay: Wireless adapters (Carlinkit, AAWireless) do not affect the warranty.
    • 🔋 Chargers: Wireless sites (Qi standard) or USB hubs with connection to the cigarette lighter.
    • 🚗 Rugs and covers: Any, as long as they do not interfere with the operation of the pedals and airbags.

    It is possible, but with reservations:

    • 🔊 Additional speakers/subwoofers: Only if you install them official dealer or service with a brand certificate. Installation yourself will void the audio system warranty.
    • 📹 DVRs and cameras: You can bet, but cannot be connected to standard electrical wiring (only through the cigarette lighter or a separate fuse).
    • 🔒 Alarms: Keyless systems only (StarLine, Pandora) with installation from an official partner.

    Prohibited (will lead to loss of warranty!):

    • ❌ Chip tuning (reflashing the ECU to increase power).
    • ❌ Installation of HBO without agreement with the dealer.
    • ❌ Replacing standard headlights for xenon/LED, if this is not provided for in the package.
    • ❌ Suspension change (springs, shock absorbers, spacers).

    If you plan to install additional equipment, check with your dealer in advance. Some salons (Hyundai, Kia) offer official accessory packages subject to warranty. For example, for Kia Sportage you can order:

    • 🔥Heated steering wheel and seats (if not included).
    • 📡 Wireless charging Qi.
    • 🎶 Premium audio system JBL.
    💡

    Before installing any equipment, take photographs of the standard wiring and connection points. If electrical problems arise after installation, you will have evidence that it is not a manufacturing defect that is to blame, but the installation.

    7. First wash and care of paintwork: mistakes that ruin the car

    The new car shines, and you want to immediately wash it to a mirror shine. But Improper washing in the first months can damage the paintwork (paintwork) forever. This is especially true for cars with soft varnish (Renault, Nissan) or matte finish (Audi, BMW Individual).

    What to do in the first 3 months:

    • 🚿 First wash - only after 2 weeks after the purchase. The varnish must “settle”.
    • 🧼 Use only contactless car wash or hand wash with microfiber and pH-neutral shampoo.
    • 🚫 Avoid car washes with brushes - they scratch the varnish.
    • 🌡️ Do not wash your car under the scorching sun or at temperatures below +5°C.

    What to wash:

    • 🧴 Shampoo: Karcher RM 539, Sonax Brilliant Shine.
    • 🧽 Sponges/mittens: Only microfiber or chenille.
    • 🧴 Wax/ceramics: In the first 6 months, do not apply protective coatings - the factory varnish is still “breathing”.

    What you should never do:

    • ❌ Wash the car household chemicals (Fairy, Domestos) - it destroys the varnish.
    • ❌ Use abrasive polishes to remove scratches.
    • ❌ Dry the car low quality microfiber cloths (they leave micro scratches).

    If the car appeared chips or scratches, do not try to eliminate them yourself. Contact official service - many brands (Toyota, Mazda) repair paintwork defects free of charge in the first 12 months.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you wash your car at a car wash, ask receipts indicating the funds used. In case of damage to the paintwork, this will help prove the guilt of the washers.

    In the first 6 months, it is enough to wipe the seats with damp microfiber. Then you can use leather conditioner (Leather Honey, <